News & Analysis

PFF Preview: Dolphins @ Broncos, Week 12

By Chris Phillips &bullet;
Nov 21, 2014

The (6-4) Miami Dolphins head to Denver to play the (7-3) Broncos on Sunday. This matchup has huge playoff implications for both teams. The Dolphins are trying to stay within range of the (8-2) New England Patriots in the AFC East and the Broncos try to stay even with the (7-3) Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.

The Dolphins lost left tackle Branden Albert a few weeks back and this week’s matchup will put current starters Ja’Wuan James and Dallas Thomas to the test. James and Thomas have a combined pass blocking grade of –18.7 and both have Pass Blocking Efficiency marks under 94.0. Both James and Thomas are young players whose best days are ahead of them, but Demarcus Ware and Von Miller will not be very welcoming in Denver. Ware currently has a +5.7 pass rushing grade and his Pass Rush Productivity rating of 10.3 ranks 11th out of all 4-3 ends. Miller leads all 4-3 outside linebackers with a +24.4 pass rushing grade and has a Pass Rush Productivity mark of 13.0. Ware and Miller have combined for 92 total pressures.

Here are a few other players to watch for:

Miami Dolphins

Jarvis Landry – He has a +5.4 overall grade for the season and his catch rate in the slot of 78.9% ties him for the top spot in our Slot Performance Signature Stat.

Cameron Wake – Leads all 4-3 ends in overall grade +28.8 and total pressures with 46. He ranks second in Pass Rush Productivity with a 12.5 mark.

Reshad Jones – Jones has the fourth-best safety grade at +10.6 and has been equally effective rushing the passer, in coverage and against the run as he’s grading positively in each area.

Denver Broncos

C.J. Anderson – Anderson has a +6.0 combined grade for his last two games of work. He has been most impressive in the passing game earning a +4.2 grade in that category.

Demaryius Thomas – His +12.9 overall grade ranks third and he ranks second behind only Jordy Nelson in Yards Per Route Run with a 2.8 mark.

Brandon Marshall – He’s currently our seventh-ranked 4-3 outside backer with a +6.9 grade and his Run Stop Percentage of 11.7% ranks 3rd.